Republicans have proposed tax cuts as a mean of partisan politicking instead of focusing on developing policy that will help Montanans. The GOP has sent bills to Gov. Steve Bullock, knowing that the only responsible measure will be for the governor to veto these careless policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy and threaten Montana's financial stability.

I know that Montanans want a tax cut. Our job as legislators is to write tax policy that is equitable and benefits Montanans who need it most: working families. That's why I have proposed that Montana adopt an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Montana is one of only three states in the country taxing families that live below the poverty line. These are the working poor who are employed full time at minimum wage jobs, unable to scrape enough together to provide for their families. Giving tax relief to working families will go far by boosting take-home wages, which will allow individuals to buy more goods and services. Montana small businesses in particular will see a great benefit from such tax relief.

Establishing an Earned Income Tax Credit is a tried-and-true method that has decades of positive outcomes to support its effectiveness. Studies have shown that EITC has boosted employment and has reduced the number of households that receive welfare assistance. In fact, all the results have demonstrated that the federal EITC has managed to lift more people out of poverty than any program besides Social Security.

We need to start thinking about how to get the most bang for our buck. Continuing to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Montanans and out-of-state corporations does little for the average Montanan like you and me, and provides limited stimulation to our state economy. Cutting funding for public programs or penalizing the poor for accepting such assistance does not help them out of poverty.

I am hopeful that my colleagues across the aisle will work with me to provide much-needed tax relief. Together, we can lift thousands of Montanans out of poverty and equip them to provide for their families, stimulate our local businesses and economies, and set aside a comfortable amount for retirement.

It is time we put partisan politics aside and get to work on sensible tax policy that benefits all Montanans.

Rep. Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls, is serving a second term in the Montana House of Representatives. His House Bill 592 passed the house Thursday by a 50-48 vote on second reading.